X PRIZE team Starchaser Industries Ltd will conduct manned drop tests of its Nova rocket capsule next month. The test is designed as a training and test of the piloted landing system that is under development for Starchaser's X PRIZE entry vehicle, the Thunderbird.

Scheduled for 21-25 July in Kingman, Arizona, USA, the capsule will be dropped from a C-123K aircraft from an altitude of 14,000 feet. The main purpose of the tests is to ensure the parachute, navigation, and landing systems function as planned.

The team officially entered the $10,000,000 X-Prize competition in 1997 and has recently been ranked joint #1 seed by Future Publishing's 'Frontiers' magazine. Starchaser Industries was incorporated as a private limited company on 16th December 1998, its primary goal being to win the X-Prize. Last year saw the flight of NOVA, which completed all mission objectives before returning safely via parachute.

To win the X PRIZE, private teams must finance, build and fly a three-person spacecraft 100 km (62 miles) to the edge of space, return safely, and then demonstrate the reusability of their vehicle by flying it again within two-weeks. A winner of the X PRIZE is expected within the next 12-24 months.

The goal of the X PRIZE is to make space travel frequent and affordable for the general public. More than 20 teams have entered from 7 different countries.

FMI: www.starchaser.co.uk